A NEW project in Bude has asked for the backing and support of Bude-Stratton Town Council, writes Rosie Cripps.

At the meeting of full council on Thursday, January 4, Deb Rosser and Avril Sainsbury — two of Bude’s most influential environmental campaigners — attended as members of the public, to address the council in the 15 minutes given to them to speak openly.

The meeting heard that the pair, along with others in the community, are soon to launch a new environmental group, A Greener Bude. Deb said: “A Greener Bude is to make Bude a better place under one umbrella, which falls under Cleaner Seas.

“This all follows on from a very successful event called the Wave Conference, which was organised by Avril and held in 2016. The project consists of Martin Dorey, who set up the 2 Minute Beach Clean; ReFILL Bude, which is run by myself; Bude Sea Pool; Morsbags — the Bude Baggers; Friends of the Earth; South West Rivers Trust; The Plastic Movement; Cornwall Wildlife Trust and Beach Care, part of Keep Britain Tidy, with support from Visit Bude.”

On February 9, A Greener Bude will officially launch at Rosie’s Kitchen, Crooklets, at 7pm. A range of local businesses and ‘VIPs’ will be invited to take part in the celebration of the launch. Deb added: “We want these great things happening in Bude, which are kind of under the radar, to be recognised!”

The use of single use plastics and polysterene cups and takeaway boxes are gaining increasing concern from environmental organisations. BBC One’s Blue Planet, presented by Sir David Attenborough, has highlighted the negative effects plastic and man-made pollution has on the world’s oceans and marine life. Bude is a town with many organisations and community groups who are trying their utmost to tackle this increasing problem — Widemouth Task Force, ReFILL Bude, Bude Cleaner Seas and The Plastic Movement are such examples.

Avril continued: “Bude is a coastal tourist town, and we want it to be the best coastal town it can be.

“Blue Planet has brought all these things to the forefront. We have lots of takeaways, cafes and restaurants here in Bude who are trying their best, but need support.

“We want people to think, what are the alternatives (to single use plastic)?” Deb said. “We would love the backing of Bude-Stratton Town Council and perhaps install a sustainability programme to see how you and others can reduce your reliability on plastics.”

Avril said: “This is a chance for us to be leaders and be an exemplar town — and we’re already doing that.”

Addressing the councillors, Deb added: “It would be lovely for us to work together, and could we help you reduce single use plastics? There are alternative ways of recovery.”

The project will be launched on February 9 at 7pm at Rosie’s Kitchen, Crooklets. “The event is to tell the world we’re here and this is what we’re doing, because we want to make Bude sustainable.”

Cllr Paul Tilzey, chairman of the Friends of Bude Sea Pool, was in support of Deb and Avril’s scheme. He explained to his peers that on June 8, for World Ocean Day, the Environment Agency, who ‘see Bude as an exemplar town’, will be bringing around 500 people and organisations to Bude for an event to discuss the future of marine pollution and what can be done.

Avril also added that she would like to see schemes brought into schools at some time soon in the future, to create ‘plastic free schools’.

Speaking to the Post prior to the meeting, Deb explained that a gift package consisting of a ReFILL eco cup, a Mors bag and a ReFILL bottle was recently sent to BBC Breakfast hosts, Dan Walker and Louise Minchin.

This gesture came about after Dan was heard saying on the morning programme that his New Year’s resolution would be to stop buying single use plastic bottles. Deb said: “We sent Dan Walker and Louise Minchin from BBC Breakfast a ReFILL eco cup, Mors bag and a ReFILL bottle after a friend saw Dan in the show saying his New Year’s resolution was to stop buying single use plastic bottles. A Greener Bude sent a package to them as a present! We haven’t heard anything from the recipients as of yet, but if we do we will sing it from the rooftops! Great press for Bude Sea Pool and ReFILL if they do publicise Bude.”

ReFILL is a national tap water campaign, which encourages people to refill their reusable ReFILL bottles with tap water at any participating businesses or outlets, such as cafes and restaurants. However, the scheme stemmed from ReFILL Bude, founded in 2014 by Deb with support from Keep Britain Tidy. Money raised from this local scheme goes to Bude Sea Pool.

Since its establishment, the ReFILL scheme has travelled to various parts of the UK including Bristol, Dorset, Devon, Bath and Bradford-on-Avon. People who buy a ReFILL bottle or cup can use their items at any establishments with the ReFILL sticker in the window.

The scheme’s aim is to reduce marine plastic pollution caused by single use plastics, and cut the carbon footprint involved with the transportation of plastic.

After the 15 minutes of public speaking time came to its conclusion, Cornwall Councillors for Bude, Nigel Pearce and Peter La Broy, were asked to update the council on matters regarding Bude in Cornwall Council. Both touched upon the use of plastic in Bude and how the community could get together to reduce it.

Cllr Pearce said that he tries to have a ‘no plastic day’, where he aims to cut out his use of plastic altogether. Cllr La Broy explained that he had attended a localism summit in December, where they had an insight into waste disposal. He explained that many councils in the UK sell their rubbish off to third world countries, not disposing of their waste properly. He said: “I’d like to do a deeper dive into where Cornwall’s plastics go.”